Dante Pettis, who was once a promising 2018 second-round pick for the San Francisco 49ers but waived late in the 2020 campaign, is officially back on their practice squad, and the wild part is he might get immediate action this Sunday against the Denver Broncos. It’s been nearly six years since his first stint with the team ended, and now he’s in his eighth year in the league, ready to step back onto the field. Talk about a comeback out of left field, right?
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was quick to shut down any old rumors about Pettis being in his “doghouse” when asked about the wideout rejoining the squad. “There was no relationship issue,” Shanahan said straight up, explaining that people sometimes mix up “doghouse” situations with “just coaching.” He even tried to get Pettis back earlier this year when they were hurting for receiving depth in training camp, but it did not work out then. Shanahan clearly has always kept an eye on Pettis, saying, “But I’ve always loved Dante. Dante’s a great dude. He’s got a lot of ability, done some really good things, since we let him go, in other places.” It sounds like a genuine second chance from a coach who knows what he is getting. Pettis had five touchdowns as a rookie and another two in 2019, so there is definitely some past production there.
The need for Pettis to potentially play so soon after rejoining the squad is stark. The 49ers’ receiver room is currently looking rough with injuries. Mike Evans is dealing with a rib issue, and KhaDarel Hodge was a no-show at Wednesday’s practice because of a knee problem. The sheer scale of these injuries at the position means Pettis could be pressed into immediate service. Shanahan sounds more than ready to rely on Pettis again if it comes to that, a testament to what he thinks Pettis can still bring to the field.
So, the stage is set for a potential unexpected reunion on the field this Sunday against the Broncos. Will Pettis, after almost six years away, be able to step up and fill the void for the injury-plagued 49ers receiver corps? All eyes will be on him to see if this veteran can turn back the clock and make an immediate impact.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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